Pressurized dispensing device



March 15, 1966 J. P. MODDERNO PRESSURIZED DISPENSING DEVICE Original Filed April 28, 1960 8 5 m w mw m wr W W m a f m v w a a M d l 47 M w W a M E AHN I k w m 3 an V a m I, 1 J W (W Mi W a P 3 M 5 United States Patent 3,240,403 PRESSURIZED DISPENSING DEVICE John P. Modderno, Gambrills, Md., assignor to Modern- Lab. Incorporated, Baltimore, Md, a corporation of Maryland Original application Apr. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 25,347, now Patent No. 3,134,505, dated May 26, 1964-. Divided and this application Mar. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 371,872 Claims. (Cl. 222-399) This application is a divisional application of my copending application Serial No. 25,347 filed Apr. 28, 1960, now Patent No. 3,134,505, dated May 26, 1964.

The present invention relates to a compartmental pressur zed dispensing device for keeping two or more materials separated from each other until time of use. More particularly, this invention relates to a pressurized contamer for dispensing a plastic mass by displacing a divisional partition separating the container into compartments so that the ingredients from the compartments are throughly mixed and capable of being dispelled under pressure of gas forming a part of the contents of the container.

It will be appreciated that there are various compositrons which cannot be marketed in premixed form. Such compositions may be composed of a solid granular portron and a liquid portion, two liquid portions, a gaseous and a liquid portion, or a gaseous and a solid granular portion, which cannot be mixed together prior to the time of actual use. These materials require a special type of package or dispensing device in order to maintam the portions distinct in storage condition during shipment and in storage prior to sale.

The present invention is directed broadly to dispensing all type of compositions of the above-mentioned I character and has found specific utility with respect to coagulable compositions which form in situ on the human body a covering, mask, or the like, and to dispens able dental compositions and other body treating compositions. The particular facial treating composition or the like is composed of a powdered portion and a liquid emulsion portion which cannot by the nature of their ngredients be brought together until use is desired. It is essential in the commercialization of a product of this nature to hold a portion of the composition in a state of inactivity for indefinite periods of time in order to account for shipping and storage periods and yet provide an effective product when needed.

The dispensing container of this invention meets this need and allows for instant use of the material when desired by providing a combination of partitioning means and a means to displace, the partition, such as a plate, so that the ingredients forming the desired composition can be utilized for home consumption in a manner heretofore unknown in the art.

Although pressurized containers, such as fire extingu shers, aerosol devices, and the like are known in the prior art, all of which serve varied functions, there is not known in the prior art a pressurized container which is uniquely adapted as a package for compositions such as described above, which allows for compartmentaliz mg ingredients to be brought together when desired for immediate use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compartmentalized pressurized dispensing device suited for packaging compositions capable of setting or coagulating on the human body or dental impression compositions, the ingredients of which must be kept separate until use, and to provide a device for dispensing the compositions under pressure of a gas to produce a plastic coagulable mass.

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It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel compartmental pressurized dispensing device having a slidable mechanism which serves to displace the dividing wall between ingredients to be mixed so that they may come together to form a composition which can be dispensed from the container.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a slidable discharge head and tube which, upon insertion through a seal on the top of the container and depressed, enters into locking engagement with the top portion of a compartmental container device so as to provide a dispensing unit capable of dispensing therefrom under pressure a material of plastic consistency when the tube has displaced the partition forming the compartments.

Another object is to provide a dual compartment within a pressurized container so that one of the compartments can be displaced by manipulation of the can without the loss of pressure to produce therein a pressurized dispensable material.

Additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from an examination of the drawings, specification, and claims.

The invention will be described further in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered an exemplification of the invention and do not constitute limitations thereof.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view in section of a preferred form of the pressurized packaging device of this invention showing a container with a movable partition therein;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken along the line 22 of FIG- URE 1 showing the partition held in place by stops and the end of the dispensing tube; and

FIGURE 3 is a view in section of the device shown in FIGURE 1 with the partition displaced so as to eifect communication between compartments.

FIGURES 1 through 3 show a preferred form of the present invention. The device consists of an open top container 10, having a bottom portion 11. To the top of container 10 is mounted a cup-shaped cover 12 fitted and clinched by rolling a flange 13 to provide a hermetic seal between the cover 12 and the top of the container. The top of cover 12 defines an aperture which is olT center with the vertical center line of the container. The aperture is in the form of a roll flange or bead 18, which has seated therein an annular insert 19, having a rolled flange which embraces bead 18 and forms a hermetic seal at this point. The annular insert 19 is so formed as to provide an inner circular flange 44 adapted to receive and retain an annular gasket 45 and a downward annular retaining member 46 which retains the gasket 45 against the flange 44 and has a downwardly extending annular guide 47.

Slidably disposed in the annular opening of gasket 45 and the downwardly extending annular guide 47 is a discharge tube 21 with one end disposed within the container and the other end attached to dispensing member 53, as heretofore more particularly described. Received in the top of the tube 21 is a valve unit comprising a valve seat 49 against which a valve 50 rests. The upper part of the valve is provided with a valve stem 51 which extends upwardly with its end threadedly engaging a top cap 52. Received onto the valve stem 51 is the dispensing member 53 composed essentially of a central rounded portion 54 and a depending skirt 55. On top of the dispensing member 53 and centrally located thereto is an annular boss 56 defining an opening 57 through which the valve stem 51 extends. Interposed between the boss 56 and the under side of the top cap 52 is a compressible spring 58 which serves to urge the valve 50 against the valve seat 49. By screwing the top cap so that it moves downwardly with respect to the container, the spring 58 is compressed thereby forming a closed seating of the valve to maintain the propellant gas under pressure in the can.

Integral with the central rounded portion 54 and the dependent skirt portion 55 is an elongated spout or nozzle portion 59 defining a central bore 60'. The free end of the spout portion 59 defines a discharge orifice or opening in its outer Wall as indicated by 61. The inner end of the central bore 60 communicates with the top of the tube 21 above the valve seat so that a passageway is provided, whenthe valve is unseated, from the container through the tube and out through the bore 60.

The elongated spout or nozzle arrangement as shown in FIGURE 3 can be modified to present an elongated orifice lying transverse to the discharge bore so as to dispense a ribbon of the composition directly onto the body. Various embodiments of the nozzle are disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 25,347, filed Apr. 28, 1960.

The container has positioned therein a movable partition 80 which divides the container into compartments. The partition may be formed from a flat piece of material 81, such as tin plate, plastic, or the like. Its peripheral edge is completely surrounded by an annular rubber-like gasket 82. The gasket 82 assures a tight sliding seal between it and the inner periphery of container 10, so that the container is divided into compartments sealed from each other. Also, the partition is free to move up wardly within the container in a piston-like manner, so that the cubic content of the one compartment is variable with respect to the other.

Advantageously, the inner vertical wall of container 10 may contain stops 83, in the form of small projections. These projections are spaced so that the partition can rest thereagainst and be prevented from upward travel at a predetermined point. The partition 80 can rest against stops 83 and the end of the off-centered tube 21 depending in the container. These stops aid in the tilting of the partition when the slidable tube 21 is depressed so as to effect communication between the compartments formed by the container and the partition (see FIGURES 1, 2 and 3).

The bottom potrion 11 of container 10 may have a gas admitting hole 84 therein so that the lower compartment formed by partition can be pressurized. When the lower compartment is pressurized the hole is sealed such as by a plug 85 or the like to retain the pressure therein (see FIGURE 2).

In operation, container 10 has its partition 80 at or near the bottom portion 11. The slidable dispensing tube 21 may be in its up position, held in place by the movable retaining means (not shown); different embodiments of which are shown in my copending application Serial No. 25,347. At this point, the material to dispense is charged into the container, either through the opening formed in annular insert 19, before the dispensing tube 21 is insert-ed therein, or through the dispensing valve mechanism 53 attached to the upper end of tube 21. If filling is through opening in annular insert 19, the tube 21 with its assembly head 53 is placed after filling in the annular opening to effect the sealing of the container; or if the filling is done through the valve, in open position, as heretofore described, the valve is then closed. At this point, the upper compartment has the desired charge of material to be pressurized and later dispensed. The lower compartment with the slidable partion 80 is then charged with gas under pressure by admitting the gas through the orifice 84 in the bottom portion 11. The pressure can thus be built up in the container to 30 to 50 p.s.i. During the pressurization of the lower compartment, the partition moves upwardly as a piston, forcing the material in the upper compartment upwards, compacting it and maintaining it under pressure. It will be appreciated that the material in the upper compartment will hold the movable piston horizontal with respect to the vertical axis of the container acting as a head on the top of the piston-like partition. After the gas has been charged to the desired pressure in the lower compartment it is sealed, such as by a plug 85 of solder, to seal the lower compartment.

When use is desired, the slidable dispensing tube 21 is depressed into the container. This action causes partition to be tilted, due to the off centering of tube 21. At this point communication is effected between the upper and lower compartments by the dislodging of the partition, and the material pressurized is ready for dispensing from the container through a dispensing member 53. Dispensing takes place by operation of the valve units as heretofore described.

When a product having a heavy, creamy consistency is desired, it has been found that argon gas provides an excellent propellent and dispensing agent for the device of this invention. It has been found that argon provides an aerosol propellent which will dispense a product with a minimum of foaming. Control of foaming is important where the composition desired must have a creamy consistency with a minimum amount of bubbles therein, such as molding of dental impressions An excessive amount of bubbles would produce undesirable porosity, which would not allow the mold to present a continuous film surface having all the detailed impressions of the oral cavity that are necessary for making a usable denture. It has also been found that the degree of solubility can be controlled by providing a propellent gas which will give the desired results by mixing an insoluble gas, such as argon, with a more soluble gas, such as nitrous oxide. Mixtures of gases prepared in this manner can be used to give the desired results depending upon the amount of foaming that is acceptable and the nature of the ingredients forming the dispensed product.

It has also been found that pressures between 30 and 50 p.s.i. give very good results, but other pressures can be used. When using high pressures, the thickness and bursting strength of the container must be taken into consideration. It has also been found that the range of pressure is somewhat dependent upon the physical conditions of the material to be dispensed and whether it is to be dispensed as an aerosol or a plastic mass.

It is to be understood that the container can be compartmentalized into a plurality of compartments having a series of partitions forming the boundaries therebetween and that this concept comes within the scope and breadth of this invention.

It will be appreciated that the upper compartment may contain materials such as liquids, solids, foams or the like, and that the partition when placed under pressure by gas in the lower compartment will compact and hold the prodnot until the partition has been dislodged, whereby homogeneous mixing of the material and the gas will be effected to form the dispensable product.

Although the present invention has been shown and described in terms of a preferred embodiment, nevertheless various changes and modifications such as are obvious to one skilled in the art aredeemed to be within the pur view of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A pressurized dispensing device comprising a pressure container; a displaceable partition sealably mounted in said container, said partition forming sealed adjacent compartments therein and mounted so that it can be moved to effect communication between compartments; means for holding said partition in mounted position; an elongated slidable discharge tube means having one end extended into said container and positioned above said partition and the other end outside of said container and of such a length as to displace the partition when it is moved inwardly into the container, said discharge tube means being communicable with the atmosphere; and a valve means operably connected to the outside end of said tube means, said tube means being operably extensible into the adjacent compartment to displace said partition between the compartments to effect communication of said compartments, whereby actuation of said valve means dispenses the contents of said container to the atmosphere.

2. The pressurized dispensing device of claim 1 in which said slidable discharge means dislodges said partition.

3. The pressurized dispensing device of claim 1 in which stop means for preventing upward movement of said displaceable partition, whereby said displacement effects tilting of said partition.

4. The pressurized dispensing device of claim 1 in which said slidable discharge means is vertically disposed above said partition so that depression thereof tilts said partition.

5. The pressurized dispensing device of claim 1 in which said partition is maintained in place by discharge gas pressure in one of said compartments.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 178,101 5/1876 Block 1 69--32 1,481,026 1/ 1924 Robinson et a1 -l6932 2,176,923 10/ 1939 Nitardy 22294 2,232,978 2/ 1941 Smith. 2,610,628 9/ 1952 Lockhart. 2,665,690 1/ 1954 L-ockhart.

FOREIGN PATENTS 117,572 4/1930 Austria. 519,239 3/ 19 55 Italy.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PRESSURIZED DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING A PRESSURE CONTAINER; A DISPLACEABLE PARTITION SEALABLY MOUNTED IN SAID CONTAINER, SAID PARTITION FORMING SEALED ADJACENT COMPARTMENTS THEREIN AND MOUNTED SO THAT IT CAN BE MOVED TO EFFECT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN COMPARTMENTS; MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID PARTITION IN MOUNTED POSITION; AN ELONGATED SLIDABLE DISCHARGE TUBE MEANS HAVING ONE END EXTENDED INTO SAID CONTAINER AND POSITIONED ABOVE SAID PARTITION AND THE OTHER END OUTSIDE OF SAID CONTAINER AND OF SUCH A LENGTH AS TO DISPLACE THE PARTITION WHEN IT IS MOVED INWARDLY INTO THE CONTAINER, SAID DISCHARGE TUBE MEANS BEING COMMUNICABLE WITH THE ATMOSPHERE; AND A VALVE MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTED TO THE OUTSIDE END OF SAID TUBE MEANS, SAID TUBE MEANS BEING OPERABLY EXTENSIBLE INTO THE ADJACENT COMPARTMENT TO DISPLACE SAID PARTITION BETWEEN THE COMPARTMENTS TO EFFECT COMMUNICATION OF SAID COMPARTMENTS, WHEREBY ACTUATION OF SAID VALVE MEANS DISPENSES THE CONTENTS OF SAID CONTAINER TO THE ATMOSHPERE. 